My 3 month old springer/brittany mix pup has gradually decided that going outside when it is raining or has rained that he does not like to get his feet wet. He was doing so well, I would take him out of the crate, and he and my older dog would run out the door and go potty just fine. (before I would take him out and stand with him) Now I have to take him out myself again or he goes only as far as the deck and will stop and pee. (poop is fine he will go on the grass) Today I took him all the way to the back of the yard, he ran back up and went inside and peed before I could get to him. He really hates a leash, the little I have tried, but I guess I will have to take him out on the leash just to keep him outside. Any ideas why this has started, and how to stop it? I worry about what it will be like this winter, but hopefully by then this will be over.

I really hate to have to go that route. (booties) He is a spaniel after all he should like wet. I just tried the leash. He just stood there like a whipped puppy, with is little tail between his legs. He acts like he is traumitized about something. What I have no idea.

I agree, tarib07-with that mix of breeds, he shouldn't mind the weather. Both of my brittanys love the rain. When Maggie was a pup, she would go out if it was just raining slow. But the first time I tried to take her out in a downpour, she wanted nothing to do with it. I took someone's advise, put her on a leash, and out we went. And we STAYED out till she was done! Ever since then, she has been fine. But I think that is the secret-if she goes out, YOU go out! (a little rain never hurt anyone, right?!!!)

Anyway, I have always prefered going out with them, so that I KNOW they are done! I don't like the idea of letting them out, assume they went to the bathroom, and then 5 minutes later, Maggie is back at the door again (or Emma has peed on the carpet!) So no matter what the weather-rain, snow, blizzard-you can see me outside, hanging around with the girls, lol!

catlover- I always watch when they go out and like I said he goes out fine to poop. This morning he went out by himself no problem (I leave the door open when I am home, it opens to the deck and a fenced yard) He just seems afraid to go out and pee, sometimes. Man having a puppy is just like having babies, you want to do things right with them. Our older dog has never had a problem going out, of course he was always tied out because we didn't have the yard fenced at the time. The leash is also a problem. He seems so afraid of the leash I don't know how long we would have to stand, I don't know if he would go if he is that afraid. I do agree that you have to watch them and make sure they go potty.

Tarib07- My previous boxer HATED to go outside in the rain. Hated it!! I mean like bad. He too would make it to the end of the deck and then pee and turn tail and RUN inside!!! So made me mad!! Eventually I took the leash and put my foot down! Whenever he went out...I went out. Rain, snow, tundra heat...whatever the weather I stood it out with him!! He eventually got used to it and it was no big deal. He did HATE the leash as well. He would buck around like a wild horse and i felt like i was draggin him around b/c he would back up and pull back on the leash. It didn't take long too break him of that b/c he realized that if he wanted to go outside or with mommy he had to be on the leash. Repitition is huge and so is praise!! :) Now with my newbies...believe it or not it has not rained since i got them a month ago!! So i have no idea how they will react to that!! But we shall see!! :) And they too HATE the colars and the leash. But, they are getting used to the colars, not so much the leash though!!! I just put it on them and walk them and praise when they walk beside me instead of pulling back. I give them treats as well to encourage them!! It's taking time and LOT's of patience but we're getting there!!! :) So i guess in all my words here....i would just have to say repition, praise and patience are the keys!! I know her little face makes you feel bad when you have her leashed but she'll soon understand and be okay with it!! Good luck with your baby!! :)

My 4 year old Maltipoo hates going outside when it is raining and/or wet and I live in Houston which means it's wet just about every other weekend. She will hold it as long as possibly and only go out when I force her (glaring at me the entire time). Bella loves the water and will jump into a pool (and even pee in it!) without hesitation. I really think it varies from dog to dog. She may never really like it, but if she understands she still has to do it, she will.

thanks for all of the suggestions. I will work with the leash some more. What I did at lunch time (of course it was dry by now) I took some treats that he loves, and had him follow me out, we walked around the yard, I kept calling him to me, each time he came to me, I gave him lots of love and a small piece of treat. When he peed he got more praise and more treat. My hope is if I keep doing it, he will forget the wet, and get on with life. Gotta break this habit before snow falls.

I'll go with Pope on the consistancy thing as well!! You have to do it the same time everytime until they get used to it!! My pups started out not on a leash when they went out b/c they don't explore very far away from me and plus i am right there with them but now that they are older and they are exploring farther out i am starting the leash on them. Of course they don't like it and they try to pull out of it or jump around like crazy but when they stop jumping and follow me while i walk i praise them like crazy and give them a treat and they start acting right. It'll take some time but he'll get used to it!!! :)

I've never had the luxury of letting mine out unleashed. My 4 month old brittany can outrun me if she wants to! (and it's not because I'm old and overweight, thank you!)

But having young hunting dogs-if they see something or smell something-they are out of here!!!! I learned my lesson with Maggie. She wasn't unleashed, but she saw something she wanted, yanked the leash right out of my hand, took off running across wheat fields, soybean fields, cow pastures-IN THE RAIN!!! (did I mention, rain doesn't bother her?!!!) I caught up to her at a farm about a mile down the road. Damn farmer had a good laugh that day, watching me and Maggie doing maneuvers around the pond-me trying to grab her and her trying her best to avoid me.

Damn dog....now that I think about it, why did I get another one, lol?!!!

It has been drier here since I first posted, and Ramsey is doing much better, the real test will be with a heavy dew or a rain. The treats when going out worked like a charm. I know how fast a brittany can run, believe me, Riley runs like the wind, Ramsey is still small enough that he doesn't go very far, actually he likes the fenced in yard better. Of course he hasn't yet found the delight of birds. I will eventually have to use a leash, he is just so small I don't want to make that big of an issue about it right now. It's funny I have had dogs, Riley included, that didn't walk well on a leash (pulling) but he never baulked about using a leash. I really would like to be able to have Ramsey off leash as much as possible, it can happen I know, because being a hunting dog, you can't have them on a leash, they need to run. I wish I could see pictures of anyone else's Brittany's. Once I find out how to post pictures, I will put on a few of my guys.